Strange Question

rortmans….no one knows whether an earlier chemotherapy intervention would have resulted in a better response in fact, there are some, who would never even consider anything but using a natural approach in order to combat this disease, and they are fairing just as well/or not so well.
If the experts agree/disagree then how possibly are us lay people in a better position of determining the right course of action? Therefore, all of us are doing the absolute best to help our loved ones fight this cancer. You have been a rock in this fight.
Hugs coming your way,
Marion

Hi;
I am new to this board so I am not familiar with your circumstances but really felt that I needed to respond to your post. You must not feel you have let her down. After I had a resection I wanted to take chemo for 3-6 months after. This was based on old protocols that I had learned 25 years ago when I did Oncology nursing. My Dr said I could if I wanted but he didnt recommend it based on the type of cancer. I was unable to tolerate the first month of chemo after surgery. My blood counts tanked after the first dose and barely came back. White count still isn’t normal. I talked to another Oncologist that I had seen before and he thought I needed the chemo. Said they could adjust dosage etc. I was finally starting to feel better after being off chemo and recuperating from 65% liver resection and really was uncertain what to do. I want to beat this, so what do I do. I ended up seeking a third opinion. I figured 2 out of 3. Well, the third opinion was to not do chemo. My chiropracter/accupuncturist also felt that I was better off trying to boost my immune system rather than go back on chemo, especially when I had already had 7+ months of it. My point to you is that sometimes even the Doctors have different suggestions so how can you blame yourself? She made the decision. Maybe if she would have started chemo earlier she would have had problems with it and been worse off. None of us have all the answers. We can only do our best with the information we have at the time. The main thing is that you are there for her. You are with her during these tough times and want what is best for her. Hindsight is 20/20 and what ifs don’t change anything. With this disease I dont think there is a right or wrong answer. What is the right answer for one might be wrong for someone else. She is blessed to have someone that cares as much as you do and I am sure she feels that way also. You’ll both be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jamie

Marion,
I think your post (about the decision to go for chemotherapy or not) should be put at the top of the page of every post so everyone can benefit from your wisdom.
Ron, we’re all hoping and praying that the test results are STUPENDOUS so you can breathe easy for a while.
Joyce M

Marion, so very well put, on your post about making decisions. I think you nailed it spot on!!!

Ron….considering the fact that your wife has undergone sir-sphere and that the tumor markers are declining, substantially, my inclination is that a positive result has been achieved. From what I have experienced, and from what we have seen on this board, the trend of the CA 19-9’s will be considered when evaluating the outcome of the treatment.
I am so happy to hear the good news.
Marion

For most of us, at one time or another, the issue of chemotherapy comes under debate, and so it should given the disease progression, and subsequent, possible need for intervention.
While battling this cancer with my husband it was the oncologists, surgeons, and other attending physicians who consistently agreed/disagreed with the approach of the other, each presenting a logical argument based on their personal experience with CC and the clinical data available. We took in account their opinions, compared it with our findings, discussed it within the family, and ultimately allowed my husband to choose the direction of his treatment. Unfortunately, not in all instances is the patient able or, capable of doing so thereby placing us caretakers in the position of making a decision on their behalf. It is a tough spot to be in as we want to do the absolute best for the people we love and yet, if ultimately our decision does not reward us with the desired results we are left with self doubt and possible blame resulting in feeling as having failed the ones we love so much.
I have learned and come to grips with the fact that although, my husband choose to continue to demand chemotherapy in spite of the apparent negative response that it was his way of exulting some control over his illness and thereby ultimately choosing his way of battling this disease. Personally, I came to understand the fact that decisions made by my husband or myself have resulted in both, positive and negative outcomes however, those decisions derived from the absolute best of intentions and were meant to achieve a common goal that being a cure or, a possible reprieve from this cancer. Certainly, in retrospect occasionally, some doubts will creep in to my mind however, what we should have done or possibly could have done instead truly, is left to the imagination as we simply do not know the outcome of other approaches, and we will never know.

Just wanted to share this with you.

This discussion has taken an interesting turn and I have contemplated whether some of these procedures do more harm than good myself. For sure the stent placement is absolutely necessary when there is a complete physical obstruction.

I wonder about a lot of the drugs that get ofered. I’ve been offered narcotics to use as needed for pain, anti-nausea medicine, stool softeners, anti-itching meds, anti-anxiety meds, antibiotics, blood thinners and more already. If my liver is congested from the obstruction how can I process all these drugs properly?

I worry when I am in the MRI machine that the frequencies excite and stimulate the cancer cells…..

speckledhen…..Sometimes, one feels for doing something is better then not doing anything at all although, we don’t really know until afterward or, in many instances, we truly never know about the validity of our actions. At least, that is what my husband was struggling with. I gathered the information and supported his choices. Based on what you are saying, the decisions you are making seem so right for you. I wish for you brother to be feeling better anyway possible.
Hugs
Marion